Method for developing a column



B. ARCHER ET METHOD FOR DEVELOPING A COLUMN 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 l I add INVENTOR 5/// 4/?0/5? .7flA 1 [JV .2"

Semms & semrr zes ATTORNEYS Filed Oct. 18. 1967 mggggggwgywgm H,

Oct. 14, 1969 Q RCHER ETAL 3,471,980

METHOD FOR DEVELOPING A COLUMN Filed Oct. 18. 1967 4 Sheets-Sheet 91 Ja/m .4 [dA/Z' BY Semmes & Semmes ATTORNEYS Oct. 14, 1969 B, ARCHER ETAL 3,471,980

METHOD FOR DEVELOPING A COLUMN Filed Oct. 18, 1967 4 Sheets-Sheet HUI F/a. J /-'/6. /2 MENTOR 5/// flit/94. 7?

BY (Semmes & Semmes ATTORNEYS Oct. 14, 1969 B RC ETAL METHOD FOR DEVELOPING A COLUMN 4 Sheets-Sheet Filed Oct. 18. 1967 4 INV EN TOR .5/// flit/745i BY Semmes & Semmes ATTOR NEYS United States Patent 0."

3,471,980 NETHOD FOR DEVELOPING A COLUMN Bill Archer, Meridian, and John Lewis Low III, Laurel,

Miss., assignors to Arlo, Inc., Jackson, Miss., a corporation of Mississippi Filed Oct. 18, 1967, Ser. No. 676,286 Int. Cl. E0411 12/12, 12/34; E02d /22 US. Cl. 52-115 7 Claims ABSTRAOT OF THE DISCLOSURE Method for developing a telescoping column or utility pole by pumping fluid such as concrete into one of several aligned, telescoping sections, so as to longitudinally extend said sections from a rigid pre-cast base to which they are locked. The telescoping sections may be removed or left held in place as the concrete sets.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Field of the invention According to the present method, utility poles, such as telephone poles or street lamp poles, may be developed simply from a collapsed telescoping form by pumping concrete into one of the telescoping form sections so as'to extend the aligned sections vertically above the base to which they are locked. According to the first-in, first-out principle, the first-pumped concrete rises while setting with the smallest diameter telescoping section to the top of the pole as fresh concrete is introduced at the bottom of the pole. Since the sections are interlocked and pressure sealed with respect to each other they are vertically aligned, as they are extended and there is no necessity for the use of any other forms. The telescoping sections may serve as a tensioning or stressing means. Also, a wire extending from the furthermost form to the base form may serve as a tensioning means.

As a result, there is eliminated the necessity for carrying pre-cast long poles through croweded city streets at great expense. Also, there is eliminated the necessity for set-up and tear-down of elaborate forms prior to and subsequent to the pouring operation.

Description of the prior art Prior inventors have considered the possibility of using metallic, vertically aligned forms for the pouring and setting of concrete as columns. These forms have been bolted to a rigid base and locked with respect to each other. The form sections were telescoping and, apparently, no previous inventor has considered the possibilities of developing the column by pressurizing a telescoping form with fluid, such as concrete, so that the concrete longitudinally extends the sections with respect to each other.

Kelsey et al. (975,135) is fairly typical of post or pole forms, consisting of cylindrical metal sections bolted one to another prior to pouring of concrete through the top. Also, Kelsey teaches the employment of a transverse stiffener H (FIG. 3).

Rodgers (883,569) provides a metallic unitary mold for casting of fence posts in situ. Rodgers fills from the upper end and removes the form after the concrete is set.

Cotten (1,342,424) shows the use of telescoping sections in a pile driving apparatus. The sections are extended longitudinally downwardly during the pile driving operation and are entirely removed, prior to pouring. Alternatively the sections are removed one by one, as the concrete is poured. There is no suggestion of extending the sections by developing a hydraulic pressure from the concrete being poured. In fact, the pile driving purpose of the Cotten device would preclude the use of concrete or fluid as the pressurizing medium.

3,471 ,980 Patented Oct. 14, 1969 Summary of the invention According to the present method, a concrete column is developed by anchoring a telescoping form of the type including a plurality of aligned interlocking sections to a rigid base, then pumping fluid such as concrete into the forms, so as to longitudinally extend the sections above the base and maintaining fluid pressure with the form, so as to rigidize the sections with respect to each other. In the case of concrete, pressure is maintained by closing a gate at the concrete entry port as the concrete sets. In the case of extending the column by the use of pumped fluid, such as air or oil, the pressure is maintained by sealing the fluid within the column. In such case additional strength may be provided by transversely locking abutting portions of the extending sections with respect to each other. Tensioning of the column may be accomplished by drawing a tension from the furthermost extended section to the base.

The entire method may be accomplished not only on land but also beneath the sea, the telescoping sections being locked to a rigid base on the sea bottom then developed vertically underwater by pumping the concrete or other fluid medium from a surface vessel through a hose to the base section locked to the rigid base. The invention is considered to have considerable potential in underwater drilling and mining operations.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is an elevational view showing the longitudinally aligned, vertically extended sections with concrete set therein, phantom lines being inserted to show possible floor levels for pouring of floors as the column may be used in conventional building construction;

FIG. 2 is a top plan view of the bottom of base section 20 which is anchored to the rigid base by means of radially extending brackets 38, 40 and 42;

FIG. 3 is a side elevation thereof;

FIG. 4 is a sectional view of the base section 20, showing the fluid pumping gates 34 and gate 74 exploded with respect thereto;

FIG. 5 is a transverse section taken along section line 5--5 of FIG. 4 showing the pumping gate;

FIG. 6 is a side elevation of the sealing gate;

FIG. 7 is a top plan of intermediate telescoping section 22;

FIG. 8 is a vertical section through one side thereof;

FIG. 9 is a top plan of the furthermost extended section 24;

FIG. 10 is a fragmentary vertical section thereof;

FIG. 11 is a schematic fragmentary detail showing the interlocking of telescoping sections with respect to each other;

FIG. 12 is a schematic view showing a modification,

wherein the sections are locked transversely to one an- DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS In FIG. 1 a utility pole generally designated as 10 is shown as comprising telescoping sections 20, 22 and 24. The furthermost section 24 may include a fluid escape aperture 26. A tensioning wire 28 may extend from furthermost section 24 top into anchor plate 32 mounted in concrete base 14. Anchor bolts 16 and 18 extend frombase 14 into base section stabilizing brackets 38, 40 and 42. A pump gate 34 is provided for the introduction of concrete or other pressurizing fluid.

As illustrated in FIGS. 2 and 3, bottom section 20 stabilizing brackets 38, 40 and 42 may be welded to bottom lip 44. At the upper part of section 20 is peripheral aligning guide 36 which engages intermediate section 24, in the manner illustrated in FIG. 11.

The pump gate structure 34 is particularly illustrated in FIGS. 4-6, as comprised of half-round tubular sections 46 and 48 secured to each other by means of abutting ears 52 and 50. Bolts (not illustrated) may extend through aligned ear apertures 54. A three inch diameter hole 56 cut within section 48 serves as the fluid entry portal adjacent gate slot 58 which is defined by side pieces 60 and 62 welded as at 64 to section 48. Gate front 66 having aperture 68 supports concrete feeding conduit 70. Feeding conduit 70 may have a victaulic slot 72 for securement to the pumping tube or hose. Gate 74 includes aperture 76 and gate top 78 permitting the gate to slide vertically within slot 58, then be battened down on top of gate front 66, as the pouring operation is completed.

Turning to FIG. 7, intermediate section 22 is illustrated as comprising top aligning guide 80 and bottom aligning seal 82 having ceiling slot 84 into which sealing O-ring 86 is fitted. As illustrated in FIG. 11 O-ring 86 abuts the exterior surface of the telescoping section 20 to provide a seal thereagainst.

In FIG. 9 the top or furthermost section 24 is illustrated as including a top piece 94 having tap hole aperture 98, as well as an optional air hole aperture 100. Bottom seal 88 has a slot 90 for supporting Oring 92.

In the FIG. 12 modification the longitudinally extended sections 20' and 22 are locked transversely one to another in their overlapping portion either by bolts (not illustrated) extending through holes 106, 108, 110, 112 or by welding in the medial overlapping area 114. An optional lifting loop 96 may be provided for ease in handling the collapsed telescoping sections.

In the FIG. 13 modification the method for developing a column is carried out underwater, a diver fitting tube 118 to gate 34' thence pumping concrete via surface vessel pump 116 to longitudinally extend the sections. When the concrete sets, the column may be used conventionally as a piling.

A post stressing modification is shown in FIG. 14 wherein wire or cable 28 may be drawn or tensioned from top section 24 through the previously set concrete 141 through tube 102 and there locked to bracket 104. The cable 28 may be asphalt-covered or bare, depending upon the tensioning requirement.

As will be apparent, the telescoping sections may be of plastic or heavy paper tubing, as well as metal. The concrete may be pumped at approximately 1800 p.s.i. to develop a column 100-150 feet high. Since the sections are telescoped by the concrete being pumped there is eliminated the time element or factor in the concrete form. There is no necessity for setting of the concrete in the first section prior to introduction of additional concrete. The first-in concrete is first-up and sets out of place, while the new concrete is being pumped. The FIG. 12 modification of welding the sections one to another is suggested when the fluid pressure is developed by air.

Since the column is rigidized unto itself there is no necessity for the use of supporting dead men or guy wires, as in conventional utility poles. Also, since the telescoping sections may serve a stressing purpose, they can be left in place and are not necessarily stripped, as are conventional form. A particular application is in the placement of business signs such as at filling stations or in the placement of micro-wave towers having eleborate antennae. The signs are placed on the section 24 prior to pumping, then raised With the section 24 as the concrete is introduced. Similarly, a water tank might be constructed by placing the tank on a plurality of telescoping section units which are then vertically raised simultaneously by pumping of the concrete. Alternatively, the columns may be extended by pumping with oil or air, then filled with concrete, the oil being driven out through tap hole 98. Another modification of invention includes the development of a Smokestack by employing concentric telescoping sections, concrete being pumped into the annulus defined by the parallel sections, the innermost telescoping section being simultaneously extended by a fluid medium such as air.

We claim:

1. Method for developing a column comprising:

(A) anchoring a telescoping form of the type including a plurality of longitudinally aligned, interlocking sections to a rigid base;

(B) pumping fluid concrete into said sections so as to longitudinally extend said sections above said base;

(C) maintaining fluid concrete pressure within said sections so as to rigidize said sections with respect to each other.

2. Method for developing a column comprising:

(A) anchoring a telescoping form of the type including a plurality of longitudinally aligned, interlocking sections to a rigid base;

(B) pumping concrete into a section adjacent said base so as to longitudinally extend said sections above said base; and

(C) tensioning said sections by drawing a tension from the furthermost extended section to said base prior to setting of said concrete.

3. Method for developing a column as in claim 2, wherein said tensioning is accomplished subsequently to setting of said concrete.

4. A longitudinally extending column comprising:

(A) a rigid base;

(B) a plurality of longitudinally aligned interlocking, telescoping sections, fluid-sealed with respect to each other, the largest diameter section being locked to said base and including:

(i) a pumping gate for the introduction of fluid concrete into said sections;

(C) a tensioning wire extending from the furthermost of said sections to said base; and

(D) a set concrete interior filling said telescoping sections and encompassing said tensioning wire.

5. A longitudinally extending column as in claim 4, the furthermost section including an aperture for passage of fluid concrete being pumped.

6. Method for developing a column as in claim 1, including pumping of said fluid concrete into the section furthermost from said base.

7. A longitudinally extending column as in claim 5, said extending sections being locked to one another intermediate abutting telescoped portions.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 989,069 4/1911 Siewert 52-632 1,285,940 11/ 1918 Chodakowski 52-2 2,809,415 10/1957 Covelle 25-155 2,949,705 8/1960 Carper 52-723 XR 3,196,991 7/1965 Johnson et al. 52-632 XR 2,812,769 11/1957 Schaefer et al 52-2 2,888,111 5/1959 Evans 52-115 XR FOREIGN PATENTS 212,189 11/1966 Sweden.

BOBBY R. GAY, Primary Examiner A. M. CALVERT, Assistant Examiner US. Cl. X.R. 25-118; 52-720 

